One arrest has been made on suspicion of arson in connection with the Kenneth Fire that is currently raging in the West Hollywood Hills, with the blaze threatening the homes of several celebrities
An arrest has been made in connection to the California fires(Image: Fox11)
A suspect has been arrested for suspected arson linked to the Kenneth Fire in West Hollywood Hills. The Los Angeles Police Department arrived at the scene at about 4:30 pm on Thursday after reports surfaced of a man trying to start a fire on Ybarra Road, Woodland Hills, as reported by KTLA.
Local residents helped the police arrest the suspect by tackling them. While the suspect’s identity is still unknown, the LAPD is investigating whether they’re connected to other fires in LA, suggesting that the Kenneth Fire is being treated as deliberate arson.
Initially, an LA Fire Department official denied rumours of intentional fire-starting, with stars like Henry Winkler, Chris Brown, and Elizabeth Chambers suggesting that may have been the case. At the time, they stated: “There’s no way to know at this moment exactly where and how the series of fires started, but an investigation is underway.”
Several homes have been destroyed in the fire(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
But now, with one arrest being carried out, things seem to have taken a turn. LA District Attorney Nathan Hochman told NewsNation: “Justice will be swift. It will be firm, and the maximum punishment will be sought.”, reports the Mirror.
LAPD’s Charles Dinsel also spoke on the arrest, saying the suspect is being held in custody on suspicion of sparking the fire on purpose. He revealed: ‘It is being investigated as a crime.”
In a statement regarding the cause of the fire, the speaker confirmed: “At this time, that’s what we believe. Yes.”
The Kenneth Fire has surged across an alarming 960 acres since its outbreak, now looming perilously over Malibu Canyon just a stone’s throw north from the famed 101 Freeway by Calabasas, putting celebrity-studded homesteads at risk.
Winds prevented the fire from being contained(Image: AP)
There live several A-list celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian and Will Smith, with the fire right in their path. Kim and Khloe Kardashian are also not too far off in Hidden Hills.
The fire initially burst forth around 2pm on Thursday in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space, frantically swallowing over 600 acres by 6pm as per the figures from CALFire. With the flames advancing, the state had to crack down with urgent evacuations as firefighters took to the skies with water bombs to put out the fires.
The action did not entirely work due to Santa Ana winds creating a maelstrom. This meant containing the fire became impossible, and led to huge spreading.
Several residents are being evacuated from the area(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
As the death toll from the California wildfires rises to seven, residents across southern California have been warned to prepare for further evacuations at short notice. With over 10,000 structures already destroyed by the flames, locals are being urged to gather important documents and possessions in anticipation of worsening conditions.
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